25 Years: A Walk Down Memory Lane
March 4th, 2022 Respect Group, Sheldon Kennedy
25 Years: A Walk Down Memory Lane
Realizing it was 25 years ago that Graham James pleaded guilty to sexual assault, it gave us pause to reflect. From that ugly reality, so much has been done for the better. To our many partners and supporters, thank you for your leadership. Culture change is not easy. To our amazing Team at Respect Group, thank you for making the important work we do look easy.
Sheldon Kennedy and Wayne McNeil – Co-founders of Respect Group
| 1997 | Graham James, Sheldon Kennedy’s former Junior Hockey coach, pleads guilty to Sexual Assault |
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| 1998 | May to November – Sheldon Kennedy in-line skates across Canada to raise awareness of abuse |
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| 2004 | Sheldon Kennedy and Wayne McNeil found Respect Group |
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| 2006 | First partners to mandate Respect in Sport for all coaches – Sport Manitoba and Gymnastics Canada |
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| 2007 | Respect in Sport featured on CBC Hockey Day in Canada with Peter Mansbridge |
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| 2007 | Sheldon Kennedy appointed to IOC Medical Committee creates Consensus Statement on Sexual Harassment and Abuse in Sport |
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| 2010 | First Respect in the Workplace partner, FT Services |
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| 2010 | First Respect in Sport Parent Program partner Hockey Calgary |
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| 2012 | First Respect in School partner, Manitoba Ministry of Education |
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| 2012 | Sheldon Kennedy testifies at US Senate after Penn State sexual abuse scandal |
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| 2016 | “Swift Current” the documentary is released |
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| 2018 | Respect Group certifies 1 Million people |
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| 2018 | KGIS launches in partnership with Jumpstart Charities and Canadian Women & Sport |
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| 2018 | Respect Group becomes an accredited B CORP |
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| 2018 | Government of Saskatchewan first province to launch Respect in the Workplace |
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| 2020 | Stay in the Game program is launched |
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| 2021 | Respect in Sport program for Officials is launched |
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| 2021 | Respect Group launches The Sheldon Kennedy Show |
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| 2022 | NHL partners with Respect Group to deliver Respect in the Workplace across the league |
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The Journey Continues
From the 1998 cross-Canada skate |
